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Referees are swayed by outcome rather than intent

The words Jaco Peyper used when explaining his decision not to sin-bin Waisake Naholo for taking out Liam Williams in the air were: “He landed on his legs so it’s just a penalty.”

Peyper was correct in that Williams did land on his legs, and he was very fortunate not to suffer further injury.

Waisake Naholo takes out Liam Williams in the airCredit:
Getty Images

But the outcome should not have determined whether Naholo was shown a yellow or even a red card. Many Irish fans felt CJ Stander was only sent-off against South Africa last week because his challenge on Patrick Lambie left his opponent unconscious, and this was perhaps another example of the end result having a bearing on the referee’s decision.

It shouldn’t...

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